It’s that time of the year again when we focus on All Saints’ Day, annually celebrated on November 1. The essence of All Saints’ Day is to honour exemplary Christians who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their lives for others or were martyred for the faith and are worthy of imitation. As Christians we are urged to become more and more like Jesus and be holy people like the Saints. BETTY AMUKPO asks, ‘Is it difficult to become a Saint?’. The children respond thus:
‘Becoming a saint often requires a life of extraordinary faith, selflessness, and devotion’
Becoming a saint in the Christian tradition, as described in the Bible, often requires a life of extraordinary faith, selflessness, and devotion. Matthew 5:48 states, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This emphasises the high moral and spiritual standards expected of potential saints, making it a challenging path.
• Asia Chima
‘If you have turned away from your sins and trusted in Jesus, you are a saint, a holy one’
First of all, there are two classes of people: Sinners and Saints. God considers all of us to be sinners because we are not perfect and have all fallen short of God’s glory. Our sins separate us from God who is holy, but God made a way to save us by lowering Himself to come to our level, becoming our substitute and taking the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross. (Hebrews 12:14). If you have turned away from your sins and trusted in Jesus and what He has done on the cross, “You are a saint, a holy one”
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘If we are to follow God’s Words, becoming a Saint is easy’
If we are to follow God’s Words and instructions, becoming a Saint is easy because sainthood is devoid of any sinful act, and it is a way of being close to God. It can also be confirmed in the book of Ephesians 5:3 which reads; “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;”
• Eyinade Gideon
‘It’s not an easy process, it involves rigorous evaluation of a person’s life, deeds, and attributes of miracles’
Becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church is not an easy process. It typically involves a lengthy and rigorous evaluation of a person’s life, deeds, and miracles attributed to them. Sainthood often requires a formal canonisation process that includes evidence of virtuous living and miracles. Only a few individuals are officially recognised as saints, and the process can take many years, even centuries. The process of becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church involves several steps: Servant of God: The process begins when someone is nominated for sainthood by their local Diocese. This person is then given the title “Servant of God.” Venerable: After a thorough investigation into the person’s life and writings, if they are found to have lived a life of heroic virtue, they can be declared “Venerable” by the Pope. Blessed: To progress to the next stage, one miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required. Once this miracle is confirmed by the Vatican, the person can be beatified and called “Blessed.” Saint: To be officially canonised as a saint, a second miracle is typically required. After this miracle is confirmed, the Pope can declare the person a saint. They are then given the title “Saint.”
• Okononfua Bryan
‘It is difficult because it is hard for someone to love himself not to talk of loving his neighbours’
Who is a saint? Saints are those who died and now with Jesus in heaven. They have been recognised by the Church for outstanding holiness and virtues. Saint refers to any saved Christian who put their faith in Jesus as Lord and saviour. They are saved by their faith. They obeyed Jesus’ commandments. The question is, is it difficult to become a Saint? It is difficult to become a saint because it is hard for someone to love himself not to talk of loving his neighbours. It is difficult to separate oneself from worldly things. It only takes God’s grace for one to become a saint.in According to Gen 6:9, Noah was a just man and perfect in his generation, and walk with God. it wasn’t easy, but with determination the saint walked with God. They are invoked as intercessors with God. One becomes a saint if he or she truly believes in the son of the living God, because they are the faithful of the Church. It is written in 1 Samuel 2:9, “He will keep the feet of his saint and the wicked shall be silent in darkness for by strength shall no man prevail.”
• Anita Chima
‘It is not difficult to become a saint if we follow God’s commandments’
No, it is not difficult to become a saint if we follow God’s commandments and live a life of virtue. In fact, we are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and to strive for perfection (Matthew 5:48). With God’s grace, anyone can become a saint (Philippians 4:13).
• Arnold Akalezi
‘To become a saint, one should perform miracles’
A saint is someone who is recognised for his or her exceptional holiness and devotion to God. To become a saint is not difficult, you just need to have all these qualities that a saint has which include holiness, selflessness, compassion, and a strong devotion to God. When you have all these qualities, it won’t be hard to become a saint. To become a saint, one should lead a life of virtue, perform miracles, and be recognised by the Catholic Church. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about what it means to be a saint. Here are a few examples: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”
• Blossom Akalezi
‘A person can become a saint by living an exemplary Christian life’
Yes, it is difficult to become a saint. But, Christ has assured us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His grace is sufficient for us. Since a person can become a saint by having an exemplary Christian life, God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in life. Read John 14:26, 2 Peter 1:3-4 and Philippians 2:13.
• Chimdi Agwu
